Montreal Canadiens: Trade talks surround the Habs dressing room, Michael Ryder and Jaroslav Halak in particular. Their is no sense of urgency to trade either one but GM Bob Gainey is entertaining offers. The Ryder talks started because of his slow start (2 goals in 13 games) and because of his UFA status at year’s end. Halak rumours were started when Carey Price won the back-up job to Cristobal Huet in October. With no real future in Montreal, Halak wants or should want the chance to be a #1 in the NHL.

Edmonton Oilers: According to the Boston Globe, the Oilers are in contact with Free Agent Anson Carter. Carter had a try-out with the Oilers in September but suffered a concussion in an exhibition game. He has fully recovered and is ready to make a come-back. Also, according to the Ottawa Sun, the Oilers are also willing to trade Left Winger Raffi Torres. UPDATE: Anson Carter has signed a contract with HC Lugano of the Swiss NLA.

Boston Bruins: With Patrice Bergeron set on being put on the long term IR, the Bruins could use some of his 4.75 million dollar Cap Hit to aquire another forward via trade or free agency. The Bruins also have a lot of prospects playing in Providence (AHL) and could continue to entertain offers for P.J Axelsson. Either way, if a trade does happen, it should involve a few prospects and Axelsson for maybe a rent-a-player like Marian Hossa (Not necessarily Hossa himself, that’s me speculating).

Anaheim Ducks: The Scott Niedermayer watch has been revived as he has reportedly told TSN’s Darren Dreger that he has set a self-imposed time limit on a possible return. According to TSN.ca, Niedermayer hasn’t specified when his deadline is but said his decision will be made by Christmas. In any case, his return would surely elevate the Ducks both talent wise and mental wise. If Niedermayer does in fact return, a trade has to be made to free up Cap Space for Niedermayer’s 6.75 Cap Hit. It currently doesn’t count since he was suspended by the team. It is believed Ilya Bryzgalov and Todd Marchant are on the trade block so as to free up the necessary Cap Space for Niedermayer’s possible return.

Chicago Blackhawks: GM Dale Tallon has said that he would like to add an offensive defenceman to solidify the Hawks Power Play. But, he wants to do so, at the right price. Both the Phoenix Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs have defencemen available but both come at a steep price, trade wise and Cap wise.

Columbus Blue Jackets: According to the Ottawa Sun, the Jackets GM Scott Howson has been working the phones regularly to find a mobile defenceman and a Top 2 Centre. According to the Sun, Howson has talked to the Oilers but they may not be suitable trading partners. According to The Fourth Period, the Jackets have some interest in Derek Morris of the Coyotes as well as Marek Zidlicky from Nashville, who are quietly entertaining offers for Zidlicky.

Montreal Canadiens: Instead of making one big paragraph to start this article, I decided to make a seperate one for the latest on the Habs. Despit being offered a contract to play in Russia, Jaroslav Halak rejected the offer and chose to remain committed to the Habs. Halak’s agent has told La Presse that his client has not asked or demanded a trade nor has he threatened to go to Russia. According to La Presse and The Fourth Period, the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Phoenix Coyotes have shown interest in Halak. Also, the Habs are apparently entertaining the idea to package Michael Ryder in a larger deal to aquire a legitimite Top 6 NHL Goal Scorer. Ryder was moved from the 1st to the 4th line, making trade speculations more prominant.

Tampa Bay Lightning: A day I have been waiting for, according to the Ottawa Sun, Tampa’s coach, John Tortorella is the most recent coach to go on the Hot Seat. According to the Sun, Tortorella was so upset with the Lightning’s performance on the road, he made them take a Manhatten tour while still in their equipment. The Sun also reports that San Jose’s Ron Wilson and Los Angeles’ Marc Crawford are also in a Hot Seat.

Colorado Avalanche: With Peter Forsberg set to make a return to the ice in the next week, the Avalanche are supposedly sending a scout or two to watch him play. According to teammate Magnus Wernblom, Forsberg apparently has that look in his eyes and he seems to have gotten back into his groove. Supposedly the Avs, Flyers, Stars, Wings, Canadiens, Canucks and Senators are all interested in the 34 year old Centre. Expect a lot of scouts to be in the stands for this tournament. No matter where Forsberg goes, he’ll bring a winning attitude and a lot of offence to his new team.

Minnesota Wild: According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Wes Walz was excused from the team for “personal reasons”. It is widely specualted that Walz is contemplating retirement. Walz is the Wild’s all-time Games Played leader (438) and ranks second to Marian Gaborik in Goals and Points (82, 182 respectively).

Ottawa Senators: Ken Campbell suggests that the Sens should avoid a bidding war to obtain Peter Forsberg and should concentrate on getting Mats Sundin. That’s right, the same Mats Sundin who plays for the provincial rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Spector says that “It would be a cold day in hell before the Leafs would move someone to the Sens”. But, he makes an interesting point later on in that Sundin could potentially go to the Sens but, only if it’s a 3-team deal. Where the Leafs would send Sundin to a third party who would then send Sundin to the Sens.

Atlanta Thrashers: Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal suggested that if the Thrashers and Marian Hossa can not agree to a deal, possible trade destinations could be: San Jose, Colorado, Pittsburgh, Boston, Carolina, Detroit and Minnesota. The only reason being that these teams have significant Cap Space left but the Pens, Canes and Wild have a Cap Limit lower then the NHL’s. The Bruins would have to send an aging Glen Murray to make room for when Bergeron gets back. The Sharks want a Defenceman. Which leaves Colorado and Detroit, who will likely not do anything until Forsberg signs. Steve McCarthy and Bobby Holik may be available as well as Hossa.

Pittsburgh Penguins: According to Steve Zipay of Newsday, Pens scouts have been following the Dallas Stars. According to Zipay, the Pens are scouting Marty Turco and/or a defenceman. Spector notes that Turco’s going no where as he has a No Trade Clause. He then suggests that Zipay may have meant Mike Smith.

Phoenix Coyotes: HC Lugano of the Swiss NLA has contacted Goaltender David Aebischer about playing in Europe. Aebischer has apparently asked time to consider the offer. He currently plays for the Coyotes AHL team, San Antonio.

Washington Capitals: According to HOKEJ.CZ, Caps forward Jakub Klepis is unhappy playing in the AHL and has asked to be traded. According to his agent, their is a lot of interest in the Czech forward but the Caps asking price is way too high. His agent went on to suggest that if improvement of the situation does not happen, Klepis may accept an offer to go to Europe.

Ottawa Senators: According to Bruce Garrioch
of the Ottawa Sun, the only way Wade Redden will stay a Senator is if Joe Corvo is moved at some point this season.

Brian Burke: Burke has proposed a “rule change” that would allow other teams to pick up a portion of a players salary through trade. He states that it would spark more trading among teams. Burke is one of many GM’s finding it hard to trade. Spector notes that the rule change will likely not happen because it may open up CBA talks much earlier then the NHL would want.

Columbus Blue Jackets: GM Scott Howson is believed to have talked to Oilers GM Kevin Lowe about LW Raffi Torres and possible a defenceman as well. A trade could happen but it may not happen until Sheldon Souray, Mathieu Roy, Matt Greene and Joni Pitkanen return from injury.

Los Angeles Kings: Gm Dean Lombardi has halted his pursuit of a quality goaltender as Jean-Sebastien Aubin and Jason LaBarbera have strung together several quality starts between them.

Vancouver Canucks: Gm Dave Nonis has shot down rumours that he is shopping around Markus Naslund. However, he is entertaining offers for the Cancuk’s Captain. It is widely known that Nonis wants to shake up his roster. What better way then to trade your Captain? Little note, I am being sarcastic about trading your Captain.

Well, their are several trade rumours I found. Quite interesting if you ask me and who knows, this may spark a trade that comes out of no where. Like a 3 way trade involving the Leafs, Sens and Sundin.